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Airborne 03.31.15

Could Be In Service By End Of July

At the onset of a wildfire season billed as perhaps worse than
2000, some big help could be on the way. Very big help.

For more than a year, Evergreen International has been
converting a 747 for use as an aerial firefighting tanker. Already,
the aircraft has made some 20 test drops over Arizona.

"It represents one of the most advanced pieces of firefighting
equipment that's come along in a long time," said Mike Padilla. He
runs aviation at the California Department of Firefighting
Protection. He hopes to have the 747 in service before the end of
what promises to be a long, hot summer. But the conversion still
must pass inspection by the FAA.

The Evergreen conversion can carry loads of up to 20,000
gallons. Evergreen hopes it will be approved and on the fire line
in time to help with the huge blazes expected this summer. But
there are questions about whether a 747, built to fly high, can
accurately drop fire retardant from as low as 200 feet AGL.